Subsurface apparatus for operating well equipment



Sept. 28, 1954 R. c. BAKER 2,690,223

vSUBSURFACE APPARATUS FOR OPERATING WELL EQUIPMENT Filed April 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l p @l .zo @o gan @o 3b.

l ae 551( x 7.4 f ga? rroemsys :PEL/BEN C. BAKER, A

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. C. BAKER Sept. 28, 1954 sUBsUREAcE APPARATUS PoR OPERATING WELL EQUIPMENT Filed April 17, 195o Patented Sept. 2.8, 195.4

, 2,690,223 SUBSURFACEAPPARATUS-r WELL EQUIPMENT tion of California The presenty invention relates t'o Well devices; and more particular-137 to apparatus for lperfri'ning subsurface operations or functions-in oil, gas and sii'nilar Wells; x

An-object of the invention-isI to provide Well apparatus embodying its own source of fluid pressure for operating the' apparatus;y in which the fluid-pressure ca-'n be supplied by arlatively safe compressed Inedur, preferably off noncomb'ustible or nen-explosive characteristics; which can'befreleasedlin a comparativelylgradual mannerv to provide a gradu'alincrease" pressure' of the` fiuidf'act'ing on the' apparatus.

Another" objectof the invention is'to provide 'an improved' nianner of' releasing a' compressed gaseousmed'iuin inl apparatus of the character above indicated.

further object ofthe invention. is to provide pressure operated subsurface Well apparatiistin Which'the sourcefofpressure'is confined in acontaine'r that can be installed readiilvwithin the apparatusfand-1 easily removed from the. latter after: its use.

Yet another object ofthe. invention isito. piro-v videqares'sureV operated' subsurfaceWed-apparatus; in` which the' source ofigas pressure is. c'o'nned in ai container' that'. can b'e'feasilv placed: Within and removed from; they apparatus; the gas beingv re' leasable from the top of the container'fandicapaf ble. ofliope'rating upon the portion' of` the'apparatus loeloWthe container;

Still a further: object 'ofi' the invention: is to provide pressure operated'-subsurfacef wellappairatus, in which algasA under pressure -is confined in a container and'` is` released, when.:` desired; By devices that preclude inadvertent subsequent closing" of the container.

ThisV invention possesses Ina-ny other advan- I tages, and has" other objects `Which may be made more clearly' apparent from a consideration of a forniV in which it may be embodied; This form is shownv in the drawings accompanying and forming: part ofv the present specification;` It will now be described'in'r4 detail, fortliefpurpos's'ev of illustrating; the general principles of the'v irrv'e'ntion" butr it is: to' be understood that: suoli detailed description is not toY ide takenfiila linit'-V in'g'sen'se; since the scope of the invention' is best d'en'ed`v loyV the appended claims'.

Referring to the drawings: u Figure 1 iseasidejelevation, partly'l 1nsection, of* the apparatus, withrthe parts in position-for lowering through a Well casing, or similar well enduit,

Figs; 2a and'2`b togetherconstitutea lngtudi areviewssililrtrv to Figs. 2a Y he apparatus' after' the gas rr'lasb'een released,v in order te A tl'le apparatus* in lthe Well casing; Fig.' .4 is apartial section; en'A an enlarged' scale, f the* valve aii'vlve releasing portion of the apparatus Fig. 6 is a longitudinal. secti'nfth'rou'gh the compressed" g'fas releasing i'fa'Jl-ve1-` portion of the apparatus; tneesfety and iilliiigV cap assemblejdath een:

'I'heeapparatusfis disclosed the drawings; as including-i setting' ooi nv| connected-'1150s well packer or Bridge-*1p1 l-'iatisf-tobe anchored at ardesired pointfwithin istringSef'vvell` casingi orisimilarwvellzzconduit C: Iheapparaftusfmay be lowered: through AtHe-Well casing@y by means f a running-in; stringe De which a may: be' a2 wire une secured to the upperfed: oflthe'f setting tool A andextendingftofthe topfof the wellib'or'e.

TheffweilpackerBga Whichzfrms `the Vlower portionof?theapparatus;` may'assumelany 'of several desired forns. illustrated; it concludes a tubular' main body I0? Whosel central passage I I mayfbe' closed'byA afplug-'f I 2s Af guide: I3 is: secured to therlowereridrofA the-bodyvto 'preve'nt inadvertfent hangingt up or',` stopping' of 'th' equipment?v in casingjoin-tsif cc'uplingfspaces 'during its lower.'- ingithrouglrfthefweil: casing C';

The: pacler'cari ibefanchoredl'againstfdownward movement ini thef Well'fy casing;v by a plurality of lower' segmental slips'f- I'lezhavirlg their lower ends en'gageablei'withitlie guider I3; as Well as with aloweriabutrnentior Harige "on' the body. Theinner-surfacesedftles'el s areit'a'peredfinva downward an iiwa d'fdir rifor' slidtnble'en-f gagelentlilt aeores ond g "externall5'r tapered surface I'l-fonv a--fustoecnia-l' expander I8' slid-l ablfeirl body Tliis'flw'e'r expander is contd te tlellweri endff 'a'f-llaclin'g'V sleeve I9? rubberfoijfsiniili materfial;v d'isposedaround tlehoelS"Z f0.1 The-i1 'ifendoffthe pack-ing Sleeve is; inftrn; comme dito upper exp-ander' 2b Having an upwardff'ad-iwardly inclined eXtei"-' nallytapered lsurface 2| engageable with corre= s'iond'iicrgtapered 212i' on a'- plurality' of upper'segni'entjalslipsk Y Whichfare adaptedtobe er-Iiiddedri# tliewllcasing C; to preclude up# ward movemento the Well"packer-:therewitliin The slips Il; 23"L and; packing' element I9 are retained initially in retracted positions with respect to the packer body I3. Thus, shear screws 2li, 25, or other suitable frangible connecting elements, secure the upper and lower conical expanders 20, I3 to the body, with the intervening packing sleeve IS held in retracted position. The upper and lower slips 23, I4 are also held in retracted positions by shear screws 2E, 2l attaching them to their associated upper and lower expanders 20, I8.

The shear screws 25 which attach the upper slips 23 to the upper expander 20 have a combined shearing strength which is substantially less than the shear value of the screws 24 holding the upper expander to the body I0. These latter' screws have a lesser shear value than the screws 25, 2'! securing the lower expander IS to the body I and lower slips I4 to the lower expander. These relative shear values are selected to obtain detachment rst of the upper slips 23 from the upper expander 2B and movement of the upper slips downwardly along the upper expander and radially outward into anchoring engagement with the casing wall. A subsequent upward strain and pull taken on the packer body Ii) then shears the screws 24 holding the upper expander 2G to the body Ill, and moves the lower expander E8 and slips I4, as a unit with the body I3, toward the upper expander 20 and slips 23, effecting oreshortening of the packing I9 and its compression between the expanders 20, I8, forcing the packing outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the casing C.

Subsequent increase in the upward pull or force on the packer body Ill substantially simultaneously shears the screws 25, 2'I holding the lower expander I8 to the body Iii and the lower slips l5. to the lower expander, to cause the lower flange l and guide I3 on the body to shift the lower slips I4 upwardly along the lower expander i3 and radially outward into anchoring engagement with the casing wall. A split, contractile ring 33 may be disposed in the upper expander 20 for engagement with one of several circular ratchet teeth 3| formed on the exterior of the body, to lock the latter against downward movement.

It is apparent that the space between the body Eil and casing wall has been sealed off by the packing sleeve I3, that upward movement of the packer is prevented by the upper expander 20 and slips 23, and that downward movement is prevented by the lower expander I8 and slips I3. This condition is exemplied in Fig. 3b, and resuits from a definite sequence of steps or operations. Thus, the upper slips 23 are first moved outwardly to casing engaging position, the packing element I9 is then expanded against the casing C, and the lower slips I4 then engage with the casing. A definite time interval should pref erably elapse between these main operations or steps, to insure proper setting of the well packer in the casing. In the form of invention dis-- closed in the drawings, the operational sequence is furnished by the use of a gaseous pressure, which is released and imposed within the setting tool A, in order to gradually build up a pressure in the latter. The provision of the motivating force within the setting tool also enables the well packer B to be run in the casing C on a wire line D.

The gas pressure is provided within the setting tool A. This tool consists of a cylinder 32 in cluding a generally cylindrical sleeve 33 threaded onto both an upper head 34 and a lower head 35. A piston 36 is slidably mounted in the cylinder, this piston carrying one or more piston rings 37 to prevent leakage between it and the cylinder. The upper end of a piston rod 38 is threadedly connected to the piston, extending downwardly through the lower cylinder head 35 to a point therebelow, where an anvil or crosspiece 39 is mounted within a transverse slot l0 in the rod. Leakage between the rod and lower cylinder head is prevented by suitable rod packing 4E mounted in the lower head 35 and engaging the periphery of the rod 33.

The downward force or movement of the piston pis-on rod 33 is transferred to the upper slips 23 of the packer B. The relative upward movement of the cylinder 32 is transferred to the packer body I0. In this manner, the abovenoted operational sequence of anchoring the packer in packed-oir condition within the well casing is obtained. To accomplish such sequence of operations, a tubular actuating mandrel 42 is threadedly connected to the lower end of the lower` cylinder head 35. The lower end of this mandrel has a transverse frangible pin 43 extending through it, and also into a sleeve 44 that is threaded into the upper end of the body I3.

The piston rod 38 is movable downwardly within the bore i5 of the actuating mandrel 42, the cross-piece 39 projecting in opposite directions from the rod through diametrically opposed lonn gitudinal extending slots 45 formed through the mandrel wall. The cross-piece also extends into opposedl slots 4l formed through a setting ring or sleeve 48 slidably mounted on the actuating mandrel d2, and forming a connection between the piston rod 3S and ring 48. A setting sleeve or skirt i3 is adjustablyY threaded on the setting ring fili, this skirt depending from the ring, with its lower end engaging the tops of the upper slips 23.

The gaseous force operating the equipment is developed within the cylinder 32 above the piston This force moves the piston 36 and piston rod 3S downwardly, and cylinder 32 relatively upwardly. The downward movement of the rod 3S is transmitted to the setting sleeve 49 through the anvil 39 and setting ring 48, while the upper movement of the cylinder 32 is transmitted to the packer body I0 through the actuating mandrel ft2, frangible pin 3 and sleeve 44.

It is apparent that the provision of sumcient pressure in the cylinder 32 will effect a shearing of the screws 2B holding the upper slips 23 to the expander 20, and move these slips outwardly against the casing C, whereupon the cylinder 32 can move upwardly to shift the body IG in the same direction, expanding the packing sleeve i3 against the casing, and then the lower slips Hi against the casing, as described above. The necessary pressure for performing the desired operational sequence in setting the well packer is supplied by a compressed gas 53 contained within a suitable high pressure bottle or container 5i disposed in the cylinder 32 above the piston 33. rhe compressed gas may be of any suitable type, such as air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and the like. It is preferred that the gas be non-combustible for reasons of safety.

The gas 53, which may be under high pressure of the order of 5,000 to 10,000 p. s. i., for example, is disposed in the elongate container 5I, which may rest on a suitable cylinder shoulder or projecting pins 32s immediately above the piston 36, and which preferably is smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the cylinder, in order to provide a cylinder space 52a through which the g'as may exert its downward forcel upon thepiston 36, inasmuch as it is preferred to release the compressed gas through the upper end of the container. The lower end of the container may be closed by a suitable plug 52. Its upper end may be closed by a valve device 53, including a Valve body 54 threaded into the upper end of the container. This valve body has an inner seat 55 adapted to be engaged by a valve head 56 when the latter moves upwardly with respect to the valve body. A valve stem 51 extends upwardly through the body 54, and may be threaded into an enlarged valve stem portion 58, which projects loosely through a, guide and stop nut 59 threaded into the upper end of the valve body. The valve headis urged to closed position by a compressed helical spring 60 whose lower end engages a shoulder 6| in the valve body, and whose upper end bears upon a flange 62 integral with the upper valve stem portion 56, in order to urge the valve head 56 upwardly into engagement with its seat 55.

The lower valve stem portion 51 is substantially smaller in diameter than the passage 63 through the valve body above the valve seat. The enlarged valve stem 58 and flange 62 are also smaller in diameter than the portion of the body bore containing the valve closing spring 66. Similarly, the upper end of the valve stem, which projects through the guide nut 59, is smaller in diameter than the passage through the nut. This relationship of parts is provided to allow the compressed gas to escape through the body portion to the exterior of the container 5I when the valve head 56 is moved downwardly to open position. It is apparent that the compressed gas can then escape around the head 56, the valve stems 51, 58, and the flange 62, in view of the annular clearance spaces allowed.

In order to facilitate filling of the container with the compressed gas, a filling and protective cap 64 may be threaded on the valve body 54 when the container is not disposed within the cylinder 32. This filler cap 64has a threaded bore 64a for the reception of a suitable pipe or conduit (not shown), that may be connected to a suitable air or gas compressor, or other source of gas pressure. The gas under pressure will automatically unseat the valve head 56 and pass into the container until the container pressure has been brought to the desired value. The release or disconnection of the gas under pressure connected to the cap 64 will allow the valve head 56 to automatically engage its seat 55 and prevent escape of the gaseous contents 50 of the container. The filler cap 64 may then be unthreaded from the body 54 and the container 5l inserted in the cylinder 32, with the projecting rod portion 58a of the valve stem 58 uppermost.

The gas may be released from the container by pressing the valve stem 58 downwardly against the force of its spring 60. The amount of the downward force need not be very great, despite the presence of a high pressure in the container 5i, since the effective area of the valve head 56 upon which the high pressure gas in the container acts is relatively small.

The rod 58, 51 is movable downwardly by a valve opening member 65 slidably mounted within an enlarged central bore 66. of a gun barrel portion 61 of the upper cylinder head 39. The valve open-v ing member 65- has longitudinal grooves 68 in which leaf spring holding pawls 69 are mounted. These pawls are secured to the member by screws 10, or the like, and extend in an upward direction for engagement with ratchet teeth T formedV in the wall of the gun barrelfbore 6.6. The upper ends of the leaf springs 69'tend to move outwardly inherently into engagement with the ratchet teeth 1 I, in order to prevent upward movement of the valve opening member 65, but permitting downward movement of the latter.. Thus, the valve openingA member 65 isv disposed initially in an upward position within the gun barrel 61, and then moved downwardly will engage the valve stem 5B to shift the valve 56 downwardly to open position. The latter is held in such open position, since the leaf spring holdingA pawls 69V engage the ratchet teeth 1I and prevent return or upward movement of the valve opening member 65 and valve stem 58, 51.

The valve opening member 65 may be shifted downwardly by a bullet' 12 disposed in the gun barrel 61. The bullet cartridge 13 is clamped ln position by a cap 14 threaded into the upper end of the cylinder head 34 and engaging the cartridge. The cap has a central tapered bore 15, through which the lower tapered end 16 of a firing pin 11 may be projected into engagement with the cartridge 13 to shoot the bullet 12, the latter striking the valve opening member 65 and driving it downwardly within the gun barrel 61, to open the container valve 53.

The ilring pin 11 is slidably mounted in the bore 18 of a gun body 19 threaded intothe upper end of the upper cylinder head 34. Leakage in a downward direction along the firing pin is prevented by one or more suitable side seals 39 in the latter which engage the wall of the gun body. The shaft of the pin 11 extends upwardly and merges into an enlarged head portion 8i having a downward and inwardly tapering surface 82 engageable by correspondingly tapered surfaces on the foot portions 83 of a plurality of latch levers V89 disposed in longitudinal slots 85 in the gun body, and mounted on fulcrum pins 86 secured to the latter,

A compressed helical spring 61 engages the ring pin head 8| and also a coupling pin 88 threaded into the gun body 19, tending to shift the firing pinv 11 downwardly into contact with the cartridge 13, in order to flre the bullet 12. However, such downward shifting tendency of the spring 81 is precluded by the latch levers 84, which are held in an inward position, with their foot portions 83 in engagement with the tapered head 8l, by a latch retainer sleeve 89 having a lower inwardly directed flange 99 engaging the heel portions Sl of the latch levers. The outer ends 92 of these heel portions 9| are tapered in a downward and inward direction, engaging a companion tapered surface 93 on the flange 90. Such en gagement is maintained by a helical spring 94 bearing against the upper end of the gun body l?) and against the latch retainer sleeve 89, urging the latter in an upward direction. However, the retainer sleeve 89 is precluded from moving upwardly beyond a position of alignment of its flange 96with the latch heels 9 l, since the tapered surface engagement 92, 93 between such members precludes this movement. Such engagement also prevents the tapered ring pin head 6l and the firing pin 11 itself from being moved downwardly by the compressed spring 81, inasmuch as the latch levers 84 cannot be swung outwardly about their fulcrum pins 86. It is only when the latch retainer sleeve 69 is shifted downwardly along the gun body 19, to remove the sleeve flange 99 from a position of alignment with the heels 9| that the spring 81 is effective to shift the firing pin 'I'I downwardly, by causing its tapered head 8I to force the latch levers 84 outwardly, this outward movement being permitted by the enlarged bore S provided in the retainer sleeve 89 above its ange 9G.

The upper end of the coupling pin 8S is threaded into a rope socket at that receives the lower` end of the wireline D. The wire line is secured to the socket in any suitable manner, such as by unstranding the lower end of the wire line and connecting it to the socket through use of Babbitt metal (not shown).

The latch retainer sleeve 89 has an upward extension 91 disposed along the wire line socket 96, and terminating at a point above the latter. When it is desired to release the gas 5i) from the container 5I, a go-devil E may be dropped down the wire line D, striking the upper end of the retainer extension 9i and driving the retainer sleeve 89 downwardly against the force of its compressed spring Sli, to remove the iiange 58 from alignment with the latch lever heels SI. This removal of restraint allows the spring Si to expand, shifting the firing pin 'E'i downwardly to project its tapered end i6 through the cap iii, causing it to strike the cartridge i3. The latter is thereby iired, the bullet i2 striking the valve opening member B5, forcing it downwardly within the gun barrel 61 and into engagement with the valve stem 58, the latter being shifted downwardly to disengage the valve head 55 from its companion seat 55. The compressed gas 5t may now escape from the container, and will continue to escape, since the holding pawls S9 prevent return movement of the valve head 5S, valve stem 51, 58 and the valve opening member 65.

The parts are assembled in the relative positions illustrated in Figs. l, 2a and 2b, with the container 5I holding gas 5I) at a comparatively high pressure. rlhe cylinder space around and above the container is preferably filled with a liquid, such as water, so as to reduce the final volume within the cylinder that must be filled by the compressed gas, as the piston 36 moves downwardly within the cylinder 32, thereby insuring a iaxirnum final pressure within the cylinder.

The apparatus is lowered through the well casing to a point at which it is desired to set the well packer. The go-devil E is dropped down the wire line D, striking the upper end of the retainer sleeve 89, and forcing it downwardly to latch releasing position. The compressed spring 81 can then shift the firing pin 'I downwardly, since its tapered head 8i urges the latches 84 outwardly, causing the pin 'il to strike the cartridge 13 and re the bullet 12. The bullet strikes the valve opening member 65, driving it downwardly and shifting the valve 53 to open position, the holding pawls 69 holding the valve in such open position,

Inasmuch as the area through the valve body 54 through which the compressed gas 5d can escape is relatively small, the gas under pressure will leave the container in a comparatively slow and gradual manner, creating a gradually increasing pressure in the cylinder 32 which urges the piston 35 downwardly therewithin. Such downward movement iirst releases the upper slips 23 and shifts them outwardly into engagement with the well casing, whereupon the cylinder 32 moves upwardly, as additional gas escapes from the container 5 I to increase the pressure within the cylinder 3d. This upward movement moves the body Iii upwardly to expand the packing sleeve I9 against the casing C, and then shift the lower slips I4 into engagement with the casing. .As the `gas under pressure continues to escape from the container, the slips I4, 23 and packing I9 are urged more firmly against the well casing C, until the shear strength of the connector pin i3 is exceeded, disrupting the latter and disconnecting the setting tool A from the well packer B. The setting tool may now be removed from the well casing by elevating the wire line D.

From the foregoing description and the drawings, it is apparent that an apparatus has been provided, in which the gaseous force is provided in a container 5I that is readily insertable within the setting tool, preferably with its releasing valve 53 uppermost. The container, with gas under pressure therewithin, may be stored until the apparatus is to be used, whereupon it need merely be dropped into the cylinder 32 with its valve uppermost. The valve 53, being at the upper portion of the cylinder, is readily opened by de vices disposed thereabove, but the fluid force available within the cylinder is still eifective for operation upon the apparatus disposed below the gas container, in view of the clearance space 52a around the latter. The valve 53 is opened against the gas pressure in the container 5i without the exertion of great force, in view of the relatively small eiiective cross-sectional area of the valve head 55 and the small area of the passage t3 through the valve body. The latter area only allows the gas to escape in a comparatively gradual manner, so that definite time intervals elapse (which may be of the order of several seconds each) between the operational sequences necessary to set the upper slips 23, compress the packing sleeve I9, set the lower slips It, and release the setting tool A from the well packer B. Once the valve 53 is opened, it is held in open position.

After the setting tool A has been retrieved at the top or" the well bore, the cylinder 32 can be dismantled, the spent container 5I readily removed, and a charged container inserted in its place for use in performing another subsurface operation in the well bore.

The inventor claims:

1. in well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a normally closed con tainer in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, normaily closed outlet means for enabling said compressed gas to be released through the upper end of said container, there being a clearance space between said container and cylinder through which said released gas can pass for action upon said piston, and means above said container for open'- ing said normally closed outlet means.

2. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, said container having an outlet passage in its upper portion of small area to restrict the escape of gas, from said container into said cylinder when said passage is open, means normally closing said passage, there being a clearance space between said container and cylinder through which said released gas can pass downwardly for action upon said piston, and means above said container for shifting said passage closing means to open position.

3. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be .operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a p-iston slid- `able in said cylinder, a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, valve means in the upper end of said container for coniining said gas therein, said valve means including a downwardly opening check valve member operable to release gas from said container, there being a clearance space between said 'container and the wall of said cylinder through which said yreleased gas can pass downwardly rfor action upon said piston, and valve opening means above said container engageable with said check valve member to shift said member downwardly to open position and to hold said member in such open position.

4. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means vconnected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing `a compressed gas, valve means in the upper end of said container for confining said gas therein, said valve means including a downwardly opening check valve member operable to release gas from said container, there being la clearance space between said container and the wall of said cylinder through which said released gas can pass downwardly for action upon said piston, valve opening means above said container engageable with said check valve member to shift said member downwardly to open position and to hold said member in such open position, and explosive instrumentalities for driving said valve opening means downwardly.

5. In well apparatus; a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; iiuid actuated means connected to said device for operating the saine, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing `a compressed gas, valve means in the upper end of said container for coniining said gas therein, said valve means including a downwardly opening check valve member operable to release gas from said container, there `being a clearance space between said container and the wall of said cylinder through which said released gas can passA downwardly for action upon said piston, and valve opening means above said container engageable with said check Valve member to shift said member downwardly to open position, and coengaging pawl and ratchet means on said valve opening means and cylinder for preventing upward movement oi said valve opening means from its downward position.

6. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; iiuid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slid'- able in said cylinder, a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, normally closed outlet means for enabling said compressed gasto be released through the upper end of said container, there being a clearance space between said container and cylinder through which said released gas can pass for action upon said piston, means above said container for opening said normally closed means, and explosive instru- 10 mentalities for driving said opening means downwardly.

'7. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, normally closed outlet means for enabling said compressed gas to be released through the upper end of said container, there being a clearance space between said container and cylinder 'through which said released gas can pass for action upon said piston, means above said container for' opening said normally closed outlet means, said opening means including a rod, meansurging said rod longitudinally, a latch engaging said rod to prevent its longitudinal movement, means engaging said latch to prevent its release from said rod, and means for shifting said latch engaging means to a position allowing release of said latch from said rod..

8. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; iluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a closed cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder,y a normally closed container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, normally closed outlet means for enabling said compressed gas to be released through the upper end or" said container, there being a clearance space between said container and cylinder through which said released gas can pass for action upon said piston, means above said container Afor opening said normally closed outlet means, said opening means including a rod having a downwardly tapering portion, means urging said rod downwardly, a latch engaging said portion to prevent downward movement of said rod, and means engaging said latch to prevent its lateral shifting by said tapering portion to rod releasing position.

9. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; uid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same; and ,means operatively connected to said fluid activated means for instituting operation of said uid actuated means, comprising a rod, means urging said rod longitudinally to initiate operation of said uid actuated means, a latch engaging said rod to prevent its longitudinal move* ment, means engaging said latch to prevent its release from said rod, and means for shifting said latch engaging means to a position allowing release of said latch from said rod.

l0. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; uid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same; and means operatively connected to said fluid actuated means for instituting operation of said fluid actuated means, comprising a rod having a downwardly tapering portion, means urging said rod downwardly to initiate operation of said fluid actuated means, a latch engaging said portion to prevent downward movement of said rod, and means engaging said latch to prevent its lateral shifting by said tapering portion to rod releasing position,

1l. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected' to said device for operating the same; l

and means operatively connected to said fluid actuated means for instituting operation of said fluid actuated means, comprising a rod having a downwardly tapering portion, means urging said rod downwardly to initiate operation of said fluid actuated means, a latch engaging said portion to prevent downward movement; of said rod, and a movable retaining sleeve engaging said latch to prevent its lateral shifting by said taper ing portion to rod releasing position.

12. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same; and means operatively connected to said uid actuated means for instituting operation of said iiuid actuated means, comprising a rod having a downwardly tapering portion, means urging said rod downwardly to initiate operation of said fluid actuated means, a latch engaging said portion to prevent downward movement of said rod, a movable retaining sleeve engaging said latch to prevent its lateral shifting by said tapering portion to rod releasing position, and means for shifting said sleeve longitudinally out of engagement with said latch.

13. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same; and means operatively connected to said iluid actuated means for instituting operation of said fluid actuated means, comprising a rod having a tapered portion, means urging said rod longitudinally to initiate operation of said fluid actuated means, a latch engaging said tapered portion to prevent longitudinal movement of said rod, and a movable retaining sleeve engaging said latch to prevent its lateral shifting by said tapered portion to rod releasing position.

14. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, valve means in the upper end of said container for coniining said gas therein, said valve means including a downwardly opening check valve member, there being a clearance space between said container and the wall of said cylinder through which said gas can pass downwardly for action upon said piston, valve opening means above said container engageable with said check Valve member to shift said member downwardly to open position and to hold said member in such open position, and a bullet in said cylinder capable of being fired downwardly against said valve opening means to shift said valve opening means downwardly.

15. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a cylinder and a piston sldable in said cylinder, a container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, valve means in the upper end of said container for confining said gas therein, said valve means including a downwardly opening check valve member, there being a clearance space between said container and cylinder through which said gas can pass for action upon said piston, valve opening means above said container engageable with said check valve member to shift said member downwardly to open position, explosive means for shifting said valve opening means downward ly, a rod engageable with said explosive means for firing the same, means urging said rod downwardly into engagement with said explosive means, a latch engaging said rod to prevent its downward movement into engagement with said explosive means, and shiftable means engaging said latch to prevent its release from said rod.

16. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; iiuid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same, comprising a cylinder and a piston slidable in said cylinder, a container in said cylinder above said piston and containing a compressed gas, valve means in the upper end of said container for conning said gas therein, said valve means including a downwardly opening checkV valve member, there being a clearance spa-ce between said container and cylinder through which said gas can pass for action upon said piston, valve opening means above said container enga eable with said check valve member to shift said member downwardly to open position, explosive means for shifting said valve opening means downwardly, a rod engageable with said explosive means and having a downwardly tapering portion, means urging said rod downwardly, a latch engaging said portion to prevent downward movement of said rod into engagement with said explosive means, and means engaging said latch to preventits lateral shifting by said tapering portion to rod releasing position.

17. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; nuid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same; and means for instituting operation of said nuid actuated means, comprising a supporting men-iber connected to said iiuid actuated means, a rod slidably mounted on said supporting member, means on said supporting member engaging said rod to urge said rod longitudinally, a latch carried by said supporting member and engaging said rod to prevent its longitudinal movement, means on said supporting member and engaging said latch to prevent release of said latch from said rod, and means for shifting said latch engaging means to a position allowing release oi said latch from said rod.

18. In well apparatus: a well device adapted to be operated in a well bore; fluid actuated means connected to said device for operating the same; and means for instituting operation of said duid actuated means, comprising a supporting member connected to said nuid actuated means, a rod slidably mounted on said supporting member and having a downwardly tapering portion, means on said supporting member engaging said rod to urge said rod downwardly, a latch carried by said supporting member and engaging said tapering portion to prevent downward movement of said rod, and a movable retaining sleeve on said supporting member engaging said latch -to prevent its lateral shifting by said tapered portion to rod releasing position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,050,289 Dunlap Aug. 1l, 1936i 2,189,937 Broyles Feb. 13, 1946 2,194,331 Strom Mar. 19, 1948 2,373,006 Baker Apr, 3, 19%5 2,458,631 Parks Jan. 1l, 1949 

